The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under President Donald Trump, has accused Hilton Hotels of engaging in a “coordinated campaign” to deny accommodations to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis. This accusation follows claims that staff at Hilton canceled reservations made by federal agents involved in immigration enforcement operations when they discovered their identities.
On X (formerly Twitter), DHS shared screenshots purportedly from Hilton Hotels, illustrating that when ICE officers tried to book rooms using official government emails and rates, their reservations were “maliciously CANCELLED.” The agency criticized this action as “UNACCEPTABLE” and questioned Hilton’s stance, suggesting that the hotel chain was siding with individuals they deemed criminals.
As DHS intensifies its focus on Minneapolis, the accusation highlights ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local businesses. This is not the first time federal law enforcement efforts have faced pushback; cities like Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles have previously expressed similar concerns about the presence of federal agents.
Emails shared by DHS showed that Hilton employees stated they refuse to accommodate ICE agents outright. One email explicitly stated, “We are not allowing any ICE or immigration agents to stay at our property,” although the specific Hilton location involved was not disclosed.
The situation has generated significant public backlash, with many social media users expressing their intent to boycott Hilton Hotels. Conversely, some supporters of Hilton noted the company’s franchise model, which allows individual hotel owners to make such decisions independently. Moreover, Hilton has a history of promoting inclusivity, having emphasized its commitment to welcoming immigrants and assisting refugees.
As the controversy unfolds, it coincides with reports indicating that DHS plans to deploy 2,000 agents to Minneapolis as part of an immigration crackdown and fraud investigation, marking a significant enforcement operation for the agency. DHS has reported around 700 arrests in the Twin Cities region to date during this initiative.
This situation exemplifies the complex and often contentious dynamics between federal immigration policies and local responses, reflecting broader societal debates over immigration enforcement and its impact on communities.